Great Many Gifts to Kim Il Sung from World People

     Pyongyang, April 13 (KCNA) -- President Kim Il Sung received more than 165,950 gifts on at least 27,000 occasions from heads of political parties, states and governments of over 170 countries and regions, political and public figures, international organizations, organizations for the study of the Juche idea, compatriots overseas and in south Korea from right after the national liberation up to this date. He received gifts from I.V. Stalin including the passenger coach presented to him by the latter in August Juche 34 (1945) in the hope that he would use it for the nation-building.
    On various occasions he also received gifts carrying best wishes from heads of political parties, states and governments, famous political and public figures, businessmen and individual figures. They include Chairman Mao Zedong, Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh, Cuban President Fidel Castro Ruz, Egyptian President Mohamed Hosni Mubarak, Cambodian Great King Norodom Sihanouk, the general secretary of the Central Committee of the Spanish Communist Party, the general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Portugal, the general secretary of the Irish Workers' Party and Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife.
    On the occasion of the April holiday in Juche 66 (1977) the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China presented a huge craftwork "The Old Home in Mangyongdae." A 90 odd member creating staff produced this in a matter of a little over one year by exquisitely carving ivories.
    He received at least 4,000 gifts from various countries of Asia, Europe, Africa and America in April, Juche 71 (1982).
    He was presented with gifts by more than 1,200 units including political parties, social, friendship and art organizations and individual figures of different countries on the occasion of his 80th birthday.
    On April 15, Juche 84 (1995) the head of the Umoji Community of Nigeria arranged a grand ceremony of electing Kim Il Sung as tribal chief of the Sun at which the dress and chair of the chief, etc. were sent to the President as gifts.
    He also received such precious gifts as oil painting "Portrait of the Great Leader Comrade Kim Il Sung", metal craftwork "Immortality Tower" and a crystal vase from figures of various countries including China and Mongolia and overseas compatriots on the occasion of his 90th birth anniversary.
    Members of the delegation of the All-China Journalists Association visited the DPRK last summer and presented to him a hanging-roll containing an art work widely known as the world's masterpiece, saying that though he passed away, he always lives in the hearts of the Chinese people.

Film Show Hosted for Chinese Residents

     Pyongyang, April 13 (KCNA) -- The Pyongyang City People's Committee Tuesday arranged a film show for Chinese residents in Pyongyang at Ryanggang Hotel on the occasion of the Day of the Sun. Present there on invitation were the vice-chairman and other officials of the Central Committee of the Association of Chinese Residents in Korea, and Chinese residents in the city.
    On hand were Vice-Chairman of the Pyongyang City People's Committee Kim Jong Sik and officials concerned.
    The participants watched "For the National Liberation" (Part 20), a Korean documentary film dealing with the immortal revolutionary exploits of President Kim Il Sung.

2nd-Day Performances of Acrobats

     Pyongyang, April 13 (KCNA) -- Acrobats of different countries participating in the 23rd April Spring Friendship Art Festival gave the second-day performances at the Pyongyang Circus on Tuesday. A Chinese acrobat in the number "Piling up chairs on one's head" skillfully performed a breathtaking movement requiring such high technique as concentrating strength on it and balancing oneself while a young Mongolian acrobat in the solo plastic acrobatics "A pearl in a shellfish" presented diverse difficult movements, mesmerizing the spectators. Russian magicians in illusionary juggleries optimistically showcased refined magic techniques with a lot of humor. Chinese acrobats staged "Plastic acrobatics with lamps" to win the applause of the spectators.
    Conspicuous in the performances were the numbers presented by Swedish acrobats, recipients of special and silver prizes at international circus festivals. They were characterized by agile and refined techniques.
    Russian, Chinese and other acrobats in "Aerial swinging," "Piling up bowls by 5 persons" and other numbers showed a high level of movements.
    The performances go on.

Floral Basket to Kim Jong Il from Abbas

     Pyongyang, April 13 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il received a basket of flowers from Mahmoud Abbas, chief of the Palestinian National Authority, on the occasion of the Day of the Sun and the 12th anniversary of his election as chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission. The floral basket was conveyed to DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun by Palestinian Ambassador to the DPRK Shaher Mohammed Abdlah on Tuesday.

Regional Headquarters for Joint Functions Formed in S. Korea

     Pyongyang, April 13 (KCNA) -- Regional headquarters of the South Side's Preparatory Committee for Joint Functions of Koreans in the North, the South and Overseas for Implementing the June 15 Joint Declaration were formed in south Korea, according to news reports. An inaugural ceremony of the Inchon Regional Headquarters was held on April 7, at which Han Sang Ryol, permanent representative chairman of the Reunification Solidarity, was present.
    Father Kim Pyong Sang of the Catholic Inchon Parish was elected permanent representative of the headquarters and its co-executive chairmen and steering members were elected.
    Congratulatory messages from the preparatory committees in the north, the south and overseas were introduced at the ceremony.
    Meanwhile, the Pusan Regional Headquarters was formed on Mar. 18 and the Taejon-South Chungchong Provincial Headquarters on Mar. 24.

Oath-taking Meetings Held

     Pyongyang, April 13 (KCNA) -- Young vanguard met in front of the statue of President Kim Il Sung on Mansu Hill Tuesday to vow to uphold the Songun revolutionary leadership of Kim Jong Il with loyalty, true to the behests of the President. Led by Kim Kyong Ho, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League, the participants in the meeting solemnly made a pledge to certainly build a great prosperous powerful nation in Korea, liberated by the President, under the Songun leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea, cherishing the immovable faith that they are sure to win despite manifold trials and hardships as they are guided by Kim Jong Il.
    Meanwhile, members of the Korean Democratic Women's Union, too, met at the plaza of the Arch of Triumph on the same day to vow to hold the President in high esteem as the eternal sun of Juche and remain intensely loyal to the Songun leadership of Kim Jong Il.
    At the end of the meeting the participants had a celebration dancing party.
    Attending the meetings was Kim Jung Rin, secretary of the WPK Central Committee.

AINDF Pyongyang Mission Chief Interviewed

     Pyongyang, April 13 (KCNA) -- Jo Il Min, chief of the Pyongyang mission of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front (AINDF), had an interview with KCNA in Mangyongdae on Tuesday when he visited it in the run-up to the Day of the Sun. The chief said that it was the greatest honor and happiness of the 70 million Koreans to have held President Kim Il Sung in high esteem as the sun of the nation.
    Kim Il Sung had devoted all his efforts to the liberation and reunification of the country until the last moments of his great life after making the 250-mile Journey for National Liberation in his teens, and the south Korean people's reverence for him is growing stronger as the days go by, he said.
    After the publication of the June 15 joint declaration, a precious fruition of leader Kim Jong Il's great Songun politics, inter-Korean exchange and the spirit of reconciliation and great national unity are growing stronger thanks to the steadfast will and vigorous struggle of the 70 million fellow countrymen for implementing the declaration, he noted, and stated:
    The AINDF will stand in the van of the people in the south valiantly struggling to defend the sovereignty of the nation and peace and accelerate the independent reunification.
    We will resolutely reject unjust pressure and war moves of the United States and shatter every anti-reunification, anti-north attempt of the pro-American sycophantic treacherous forces.
    Our nation is one and so is the nation's wish for independence, democracy and reunification. And all the Koreans are unanimous in desire to usher Kim Jong Il in the plaza of national reunification.
    Cherishing the instructions of Kim Il Sung for national reunification, we will intensify the anti-U.S., anti-Japan struggles under the banner of independence against imperialism and vigorously advance towards a thoroughfare of the June 15 reunification era opened up by Kim Jong Il.

Day of Sun to Be Commemorated

     Pyongyang, April 13 (KCNA) -- Preparatory committees were inaugurated in many countries to commemorate the Day of the Sun, the birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung. Since the Ugandan National Preparatory Committee for Commemorating April 15 and Celebrating February 16 was formed in Kampala on December 23 last year for the first time, preparatory committees have been organized in 40 odd countries under various names such as "preparatory committee for commemorating the birthday of Generalissimo Kim Il Sung who is the great leader of the Korean people, the Day of the Sun" and "preparatory committee for commemoration of the Day of the Sun and a 'meeting praising the great persons of Mt. Paektu'". Among those countries are Russia, Romania, Ecuador, Poland, Nepal, Mexico, Cambodia and South Africa.
    High-ranking officials of governments, political parties and organizations and chiefs of friendship and solidarity groups were elected honorary chairmen and chairmen of the preparatory committees. Among them were Kong Sam Ol, deputy prime minister for Royal Palace of Cambodia, Miroslav Stepan, general secretary of the C.C., the Czechoslovak Communist Party, Rashed Khan Menon, chairman of the C.C., the Workers' Party of Bangladesh, Christopher Coleman, spokesman (leader) of the C.C., the Revolutionary Communist Party of Britain (Marxist-Leninist), Muhammed Inuwa Rabaran, national organizational secretary of the People's Democratic Party of Nigeria, Muhammad al Husseini al Akad, vice-minister of Agriculture of Egypt, the president of the Social Development Coordinating Centre of Thailand, Ramon Jimenez Lopez, president of the Mexican Committee for the Study of Kimilsungism, and P. Shiv Shankar, chairman of the All India Indo-Korean Friendship Association.
    The preparatory committees decided to organize on a wide scale such colorful functions as national seminar, meeting, film show, photo exhibition, lecture and round-table talks and widely introduce the revolutionary life of Kim Il Sung, who performed undying feats for the human cause of independence through media so as to significantly commemorate the Day of the Sun.

Syrian Day of Independence Marked

     Pyongyang, April 13 (KCNA) -- A friendship gathering with members of the Syrian embassy here was held at the Kim Jong Suk Creche in Pyongyang on Tuesday on the occasion of the 49th anniversary of the independence of Syria. Present on invitation were Charge d'Affaires a.i. Muhammad Adib Alhani and staff members of the Syrian embassy.
    Members of the DPRK-Syria Friendship Association and an official of the creche were on hand.
    The participants of the gathering looked round various facilities of the creche and were deeply moved to see bright and cheerful children.
    Then, they talked to each other about the Korean children healthily growing under the state popular policy and the public care and the need to boost the cooperative relations between the two countries, deepening friendship.

Day of Sun Commemorated

     Pyongyang, April 13 (KCNA) -- Egyptian Ambassador to the DPRK Ahmed Ramy hosted a reception at the embassy Tuesday evening to commemorate the Day of the Sun. The ambassador in a speech said that solid relations of friendship between Egypt and the DPRK were provided by President Muhammad Hosni Mubarak and President Kim Il Sung and the relations have grown stronger with the passage of time.
    Noting that Kim Jong Il has wisely led the Korean people in the efforts to build a great prosperous powerful nation by successfully carrying forward the cause of the President, he stated the Egyptian government fully supports the Korean people's struggle for national reunification.
    Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, in his speech said: Egyptian friends have commemorated the Day of the Sun with the Korean people every year. This greatly encourages the army and people of Korea striving for prosperity and development of Kim Il Sung's Korea under the Songun revolutionary leadership of Kim Jong Il.
    We will make positive efforts to boost the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries, true to the intention of Kim Jong Il, he said.
    Present at the reception on invitation were Minister of Education Kim Yong Jin, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Choe Su Hon, Director of the General Bureau of Diplomatic Corps Affairs Kim Tang Su and others.
    Officials of the Egyptian embassy were on hand.

Floral Basket and Letters to Kim Jong Il

     Pyongyang, April 13 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il received a floral basket and a letter from the Diplomatic Corps here and a letter from the Economic and Commercial Councilors' Corps here on the occasion of the Day of the Sun and the 12th anniversary of his election as chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission. The floral basket and letter from the Diplomatic Corps were conveyed to Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun by Palestinian Ambassador Shaher Mohammed Abdlah, who is doyen of the corps and the letter from the Economic and Commercial Councilors' Corps to an official concerned by Commercial Councilor of the Cuban embassy Evelio Duenas Ponce who is doyen of the corps on Tuesday.

Solemn Ceremony of Servicepersons of KPA Held

     Pyongyang, April 13 (KCNA) -- A solemn ceremony of servicepersons of the three services of the Korean People's Army was held at the plaza of the Kumsusan Memorial Palace on Tuesday to pay high tribute to President Kim Il Sung and vow loyalty to Supreme Commander Kim Jong Il on the occasion of the Day of the Sun. Present there were senior officials of the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces including Jo Myong Rok, director of the KPA General Political Department, Kim Yong Chun, chief of the KPA General Staff, and Kim Il Chol, minister of the People's Armed Forces and servicepersons.
    A 21 gun-salute boomed amid the solemn playing of the immortal revolutionary paean "Song of General Kim Il Sung".
    All the participants made salutes towards the portrait of Kim Il Sung in profound reverence.
    Jo Myong Rok said in his speech that Kim Il Sung set out the idea of attaching importance to the army, the Songun idea based on the immortal Juche idea, built a powerful socialist nation and steered the oppressed peoples' cause of independence against imperialism to victory with his outstanding Songun revolutionary leadership. He continued:
    The President trained the army into a genuine army of the leader and the Party and a-match-for-a hundred revolutionary forces with his indefatigable efforts for a long period and demonstrated the dignity and honor of the country and the nation to the world while ushering in a new era of global independence. His immortal exploits will be conveyed down through generations.
    He called on the servicepersons to firmly arm themselves with the Juche-oriented view on war and anti-imperialist and working-class consciousness and round off the preparations to go into action for a final victory in the stand-off with the U.S. as quickly as possible so that they may mercilessly wipe out the invaders and achieve the historic cause of national reunification without fail.
    Responding in chorus to his speech full of revolutionary spirit and will, all the servicepersons that lined up at the plaza took a solemn oath to firmly guarantee the accomplishment of the revolutionary cause of Juche by force of arms under the Songun revolutionary leadership of Kim Jong Il.
    Then followed their march past.

Foreign Diplomats Pay Homage to Kim Il Sung

     Pyongyang, April 13 (KCNA) -- The Economic and Commercial Councilors' Corps here visited the statue of President Kim Il Sung on Mansu Hill on Tuesday on the occasion of the Day of the Sun. The corps laid a floral basket before the statue and paid homage to the President.

U.S. and Japan Should Be Excluded from Discussion on Issue of Regional Security

     Pyongyang, April 13 (KCNA) -- Those countries interested in the issue of security in Northeast Asia and linked to the continent should meet to discuss the issue of security and strive hard to exclude the U.S. and Japan from the discussion. Rodong Sinmun Wednesday says this in a signed commentary. The U.S. is egging Japan on to emerge a military and political power in a bid to pit Asians against themselves and the Japanese reactionaries have become evermore undisguised in their moves to seize the territories of other countries and distort the history, the commentary says, and goes on:
    While the U.S. is engrossed in the Iraqi issue and the Mideast issue, China is exercising ever-increasing influence over Asia, the DPRK declared its access to nuclear weapons and south Korea has become dissonant with the U.S. over the "issue of security." Under this situation the U.S. considers it as a way out to make Northeast Asian countries antagonize and fight with each other.
    It is necessary to see through the aggressive nature of the U.S. so as to properly settle the issue of regional security. For this, it is very important for the countries interested in the issue and linked to the continent to meet to discuss the issue of regional security. They are deeply interested in this security and have potentials and capacity to be responsible for their regional peace and security.
    It is also necessary to exclude the U.S. and Japan from the debate on the issue of regional security.
    As the U.S. is across the ocean and Japan is away from the continent, they have no interest in the peace and security of Northeast Asia nor can they own any responsibility for them.
    Both the U.S. and Japan have an ax to grind over the issue of security unlike those countries in Northeast Asia.
    It is possible to ensure security in Northeast Asia only when all the aggressor forces are withdrawn from this region.
    Needless to say, it is the basic way of removing the danger of war increasing in Northeast Asia and ensuring regional security to force the U.S. to pull all its war means out of it and check Japan's moves for militarism.

Korea Will Certainly Give Vent to Long Pent-up Grudge against Japan

     Pyongyang, April 13 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun Wednesday carries a signed article disclosing all sorts of evils committed by Japan after invading Korea several centuries ago. Typical of them was the Japanese invasion of Korea on April 13, 1592, the article says, and goes on:
    The Japanese aggressors killed innocent Koreans in cold blood, vandalized and looted precious cultural treasures of Korea and properties of the Korean people as they pleased and reduced the whole of Korea to ashes. Samurais began the massacre of Koreans with killing Koreans, young and old, at the Pusan fort. At least 8,500 of them were beheaded, according to a record of the Japanese aggression troops in those days.
    As if it were not enough with massacring innocent Koreans, Samurais even cut off their ears and noses and took them away to Japan. The Japanese barbarians cut off even ears and noses of the peasants working in paddy and non-paddy fields, to say nothing of those of the slain Korean soldiers and took them to Japan. They also cut off ears of women in villages and even those of the sucking babies on the backs of their mothers. The ears of at least 100,000 Koreans are reportedly buried at the "ear cemetery" in Kyoto.
    What is more serious is that they abducted and took to Japan great many Korean technicians, specialists and innocent people in groups in broad daylight, kidnapped and took a large number of Korean women to Japan before forcing them into sexual slavery. This proves that the history of Japan's sexual slavery against Korean women dated back to the Imjin Patriotic War (1592-1598).
    About 10,000 Koreans who had been abducted by the Japanese aggression troops were repatriated to Korea according to the results of the talks to restore Korea-Japan diplomatic ties after the war. This clearly indicates how many Koreans were kidnapped to Japan in those days.
    The descendants of the Samurais imposed unheard-of misfortune and disasters upon the Korean people while pursuing the harsh colonial rule over Korea for more than 40 years after faking up the "Ulsa Five-point Treaty" in November 1905 and invading it by force of arms. These are the crimes unprecedented in history.
    The army and people of the DPRK will surely force Japan, the sworn enemy, to pay for its crimes generation after generation.

Second-Day Performances Given

     Pyongyang, April 13 (KCNA) -- The second-day performances of the 23rd April Spring Friendship Art Festival were given at different theatres in Pyongyang Tuesday, drawing capacity audiences. A female soloist of the Russian group of famous artistes enthusiastically sang the Korean song "Song Devoted to Comrade Kim Jong Il" and a female soloist of the Mongolian art troupe the Korean song "General, Please Donft Travel along the Snow-covered Road in Cold Weather," deeply impressing the audience.
    A Vietnamese male soloist, a national concours winner, passionately sang the Korean song "Mt. Paektu Is the Native Place of Revolution" with boundless reverence for leader Kim Jong Il.
    A Greek soloist, an international concours winner, successfully presented the Korean song "Snow Falls", while Austrian musicians staged string quartet "I Long for the Sunny Smile".
    A female soloist of the Moldovan music band sang well the Korean song "May My Motherland Prosper".
    The Indonesian Guruh Sukarno art troupe put on the stage colorful numbers including a female vocal solo representing the boundless longing of progressive humankind for President Kim Il Sung, winning the high acclaim of the audience.
    A French soloist presented the merry song "Fulgence Bienvenue" written and composed by himself, while Indian artistes staged "Drum Dance" with dynamic rhythms.
    The art troupe of the Japan-Korea Musical and Artistic Interchange Society put on the stage the repertoire it had prepared with sincerity and a female soloist of the Malaysian music band sang "Song of Rich Harvest" with clear and rich voice to the delight of the audience.
    Artistes of the Belorussian State Merited Dance Company came to the festival with cheerful dances strong in national flavor. They impressively presented dances with delicate rhythms.
    A Ukrainian musician, a winner of international traditional musical instrument concours, successfully played "Song of Love" to deeply move the audience.
    A member of the Italian group of famous artistes, who is a winner of international concours, presented on the stage world-famous songs including "Habanera" from the opera "Carmen" composed by Bizet.
    The performances continue.

DPRK Demands Japan Return Remains of Japanese Woman

     Pyongyang, April 13 (KCNA) -- The DPRK embassy in Beijing Wednesday formally conveyed its following stand and demand to the Japanese embassy there in connection with the disclosure of the fact that the results of examination of the remains of Japanese Megumi Yokota were fabricated in Japan: As already known, Prof. Tomio Yoshii of Deikyo College of Japan, who had personally examined her remains, in a recent interview with the British science magazine Nature admitted that "the results of examination of the remains were not certain and there was the possibility of the sample of the remains being contaminated".
    This has objectively proved that the results of the examination of her remains were fabricated.
    However, the Japanese government has done nothing till now and turned blind eyes to the questions raised at home and abroad as to the scientific credibility and doubtful points concerning Japan's examination of the remains.
    We will not remain an onlooker to the fact that Japan is applying undeclared "sanctions" against the DPRK such as banning ship Mangyongbong-92 from entering Japanese ports while inciting hostility towards it after faking up the politically motivated results of examination of the remains.
    As we notified Japan on February 24, we strongly urge once again the Japanese government to probe the truth about the fabrication of the results of the examination of the remains at an early date, punish those responsible for it and send them back to us in their original state.

7th Kimilsungia Festival Opens

     Pyongyang, April 13 (KCNA) -- The 7th Kimilsungia Festival opened here with splendor. This festival of the flower representing the sun reflects the boundless reverence for the peerlessly great man. It is an annual event organized in Pyongyang on the Day of the Sun, the birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung. The current festival has opened on an unprecedented scale on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Kimilsungia.
    On display at the festival are great many potted Kimilsungias in full bloom contributed by organs of the armed forces, commissions and ministries of the Cabinet, national institutions, provincial organizations, servicepersons, working people, school youth and children, the Indonesian embassy and foreign diplomatic missions here, international organization missions, friendship bodies and public organizations and individuals of different countries and overseas Koreans and Chinese residents in Korea. At least 10,000 Kimilsungias and Kimjongilias, a variety of beautiful and rare flowers and festively decorated display stands in the Kimilsungia-Kimjongilia Exhibition presented fantastic scenery.
    An opening ceremony of the festival was held in front of the exhibition on Wednesday. Present at the ceremony were Choe Thae Bok, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, and others.
    Among the participants were Former Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri who is chairwoman of the Central Directive Council of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle and her party and Ratna Sari Dewy Soekarno who is widow of former Indonesian President Sukarno and her party, delegations and delegates from several countries and international organizations, the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan and other overseas Koreans and staff members of the Indonesian embassy here.
    Vice-Premier of the Cabinet Kwak Pom Gi, chairman of the festival organizing committee, in an opening address called for making the festival offer an important occasion of swapping valuable achievements and experience gained in the cultivation and propagation of the flower and boosting exchange and cooperation.
    Indonesian Ambassador to the DPRK Hendrati Sukendar Munthe made a congratulatory speech upon the authorization of her government. She in her speech recalled that Kimilsungia was presented by former President Soekarno to President Kim Il Sung during his visit to Indonesia 40 years back, adding that all those who love peace and justice hope this immortal flower would always bloom.
    At the end of the ceremony, the participants looked round the venue of the festival.

Picture Albums Showing Relics, Scenic Spots Published

     Pyongyang, April 13 (KCNA) -- The Cultural Preservation Agency of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has published picture albums and folding picture-papers introducing historic relics and scenic spots associated with the talents and resourcefulness of the nation. The albums "Ryangchon Temple", "King Tongmyong's Mausoleum" and "Songam Cavern" give pictures of their exterior and interior along with general introductions. Introduced in the album "Korean Central History Museum" are exhibits and data on display in each room of the museum. They show the time-honored history of the Korean nation from the ancient times to modern ages.
    The album "Guide to Temples in Korea" introduces locations and history of temples in different parts of the country.
    There are various forms of folding picture-papers introducing mural tombs belonging to Koguryo such as the three tombs in Kangso and the mural tomb in Tokhung-ri and temples including the Woljong Temple, Simwon Temple in Pakchon, Anbul Temple and Songbul Temple on Mt. Jongbang.

Great Contribution to Cause of Independence

     Pyongyang, April 13 (KCNA) -- President Kim Il Sung is praised in the world for his great contribution to the cause of humankind's independence with the approach of his birth anniversary, the Day of the Sun (April 15)-. The Indian National Seminar on the Independent Development in the Present World was held in New Delhi recently to commemorate the Day of the Sun with the participation of prominent public figures.
    The speakers at the seminar unanimously eulogized Kim Il Sung as an outstanding thinker and statesman produced by the 20th century. They said that the founding of the immortal Juche idea is the greatest of his exploits and that the idea serves as the immortal banner in the new era of independence.
    The preparatory committees formed in many countries to commemorate the Day of the Sun are sponsoring colorful activities and newspapers and radios of different countries are editing special write-ups lauding Kim Il Sung, who made a tremendous contribution to the cause of independence, as the sun of humankind.
    He embarked on the road of revolution in his early years and fathered the Juche idea in 1930 and thus performed distinguished exploits for the Korean revolution and the struggle for the liberation of humankind.
    Under the banner of the Juche idea, he led the two wars against the U.S. and Japanese imperialists to victory, creating a brilliant example in the national liberation movement in colonies and the anti-imperialist cause of independence.
    He set forth the slogan "The World People Advocating Independence, Unite!" in reflection of the demand of the new era and clearly indicated the road to be taken by the progressive people with his great ideological and theoretical activities.
    He authored many works including "The Path of the Korean Revolution" in 1930, "Our Righteous Joint Struggle Is Victorious" in 1952, "The Non-aligned Movement Is a Mighty Anti-Imperialist Revolutionary Force of Our Times" in 1975 and "Enhancing the Role of the Popular Masses Is the Guarantee for Victory in the Cause of Independence" in 1992. He, in the works, expounded in a comprehensive and systematic way the essence of the revolution and its historical inevitability, tasks and ways for the independence of the whole world.
    In particular, the target and basic strategy of the world revolution, theory on the formation of a worldwide united front against imperalism, etc. are precious guidelines for the people of other countries who are fighting against imperialism and dominationism and for building a peaceful new world.
    The President waged an uncompromising struggle against aggression and interference by the imperialists and all forms of dominationism infringing upon the independence of the popular masses. And he rendered unstinted spiritual and material support to the people of other countries in their national liberation struggle and efforts for economic development.
    For 50 years from Juche 34 (1945) to the last moments of his life, he met more than 400 party, state and government leaders of different countries for the cause of independence.

Megawati Soekarnoputri Pays Tribute to Kim Il Sung

     Pyongyang, April 13 (KCNA) -- Former President of Indonesia Megawati Soekarnoputri, chairwoman of the Central Directive Council of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, and her party visited the Kumsusan Memorial Palace on Wednesday to pay tribute to President Kim Il Sung. They were accompanied by Mun Jae Chol, acting chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, and officials concerned.
    Entering the hall where the song "The Leader Is Always with Us" was played, the participants paid tribute to the statue of Kim Il Sung who made an immortal contribution to the development of the friendly relations between the DPRK and Indonesia and the accomplishment of the human cause of independence. Then they paid respectful homage to the President who lies in state.
    The guests moved to go round with keen interest the orders and medals the President received, the Mourners' Hall, a train coach and a car he used.
    Megawati Soekarnoputri made an entry in the visitor's book.

For Spanish-speaking people

Kim Jong Il recibe cesto de flores de mandatario de Palestina

     Pyongyang, 13 de abril (ATCC) -- El Dirigente Kim Jong Il recibio un cesto de flores que le dirigiera Mahmoud Abbas, presidente de la Autoridad Nacional de Palestina con motivo del Dia del Sol (15 de abril, cumpleanos del Presidente Kim Il Sung) y del 12 aniversario de su eleccion como Presidente del Comite de Defensa Nacional de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea. Shaher Mohammed Abdlah, embajador extraordinario y plenipotenciario de Palestina en Corea lo entrego el dia 12 al canciller coreano Paek Nam Sun.

Cuerpo de consejeros deposita cesto de flores ante estatua de Kim Il Sung

     Pyongyang, 13 de abril (ATCC) -- Con motivo del Dia del Sol (15 de abril, cumpleanos del Presidente Kim Il Sung), el Cuerpo de Consejeros Economicos y Comerciales en Corea le rindio tributo el dia 12 tras colocar un cesto de flores ante su estatua de bronce en la colina Mansu.

CRPP denuncia represion de autoridades judiciales surcoreanas

     Pyongyang, 13 de abril (ATCC) -- El secretariado del Comite por la Reunificacion Pacifica de la Patria (CRPP) dio a la publicidad el dia 12 la informacion no. 900 que senala en particular: Hace algunos dias, las autoridades judiciales del Sur de Corea abrieron una vista publica contra Ri Jong Rin, ex presidente honorario de la direccion surena de la Alianza Pannacional por la Reunificacion de la Patria (APRP), tras arrestarlo por la fuerza en virtud de la "ley de seguridad", codigo repudiado por los habitantes surcoreanos y en peligro de ser abolido. En este juicio le condenaron a duras penas por el injusto cargo de "haber hecho contactos en 2000 con un agente del Norte enviado a la direccion surena de la APRP y recibido de este articulos de oro cuando intercambiaban souvenir".
    Estas maniobras represivas infames y fascistas se encaminan a sofocar el movimiento patriotico por la reunificacion de la APRP y disolver la misma direccion surena de esta entidad. Por lo tanto, devienen un desafio frontal al anhelo y la aspiracion de los habitantes surcoreanos a lograr la unidad nacional y la reunificacion del pais bajo la bandera de la Declaracion Conjunta del 15 de Junio.
    Ademas, persiguen un malsano proposito de reducir a cero el creciente entusiasmo de los surcoreanos por la reunificacion y detener la mega-marcha de toda la nacion coreana hacia la reintegracion nacional.
    Lo mas cuestionable del caso es que los magistrados del Sur de Corea persiguen obstinadamente la confrontacion con el coterraneo Norte calificandolo de "entidad anti-estatal" hasta hoy en dia cuando el ideal de "con las fuerzas unidas de la nacion coreana" se hizo el credo de toda la nacion y la cooperacion mediante la independencia nacional y el patriotismo pro-reunificacion devino la corriente actual. Esto es una grave provocacion a la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea y un acto anacronico de oposicion a la reunificacion.
    Los elementos conservadores derechistas dentro de la justicia surcoreana deben aprender bien la leccion de que a los traidores, quienes pisotean la voluntad del pueblo y actuan a contrapelo de la aspiracion de este, siempre les tocaron la ruina y muerte.
    Por lo tanto, han de parar ahora mismo la represion fascista contra las personalidades patrioticas que luchan por la reunificacion.